CBs Wright, Cox both surprised by roles in wild-card win

Niners cornerback Eric Wright didn’t expect to get left out in the cold Sunday.

In an unexpected move, it was Perrish Cox – not Wright – who was tapped to fill in at nickel cornerback in the 49ers’ 23-20 wild-card win at near-sub-zero Green Bay on Sunday.

Perrish Cox. (AP)

Cox, who was re-signed by the team six days before kickoff, played 62 of 63 snaps, while Wright didn’t play on defense and logged five snaps on special teams. Starting cornerback Carlos Rogers, who typically covers the slot, was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Wright was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury he sustained during the week in practice, but said today he was “ready to play” Sunday. He didn’t know if his injury influenced the decision to play Cox.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think that’s something you guys have to ask someone else. I got prepared and ready as if I was going to play. I was warmed up and ready to go.”

Cox, who was told Saturday he would be the nickel corner, played his most snaps since 2010 when he was a rookie with the Broncos. He had played in the 49ers’ dime packages before he was waived on Nov. 12, so his extended role came as a surprise.

“I had no clue, no clue at all,” Cox said. “… But they gave me chance, coaches trusted me, my teammates trusted me and I just went from there.”

This week, Cox plans to continue playing nickel cornerback in practice, but he doesn’t know what his role will be on Sunday when the 49ers visit Carolina in a divisional-playoff game. The Panthers don’t employ as many three- and four-wideout formations as the Packers, meaning the 49ers will trout out a third cornerback less frequently.

“They just told me to be prepared for anything,” Cox said. “And after the Green Bay game, I will be prepared for anything.”

Cox’s role could shrink dramatically if Rogers is ready to play against the Panthers. Rogers didn’t practice last week, but expressed optimism when asked if he was poised to return.